One of the characteristics of a truly civilized society is the ubiquitous use of proper social courtesies. Raising a child is all about civilizing the savage within; therefore, “manners,” as they are known, should be taught to a child early and diligently.
A parent recently wrote me, asking, “What’s the most important social courtesy to teach a child?”
My answer to that great question: To not interrupt adult conversations.
In learning not to interrupt,
a child learns patience, which is to say, impulse control.
It also strengthens the social boundary that should exist between the child and adults; hence, the child’s respect for adults. In other words, being taught not to interrupt adult conversations, including phone conversations, benefits the child as much or more than it benefits adults.